Located on the northwestern coast of Sapience, the revamped city-state of Ashtan, Seat of Chaos, was founded in the days of legend, long before the rise of the Seleucarian Empire. It has been a prominent seaport on the Sapphire Sea almost since the day Glanos established it, shortly after he and Sahart left Ceylon. Though the overseas trade dried up during the Anarchy Rebellions and the naval force fell into deprecation, in modern times Ashtan has still remained a powerful force politically, economically, and martially. Once a freedom-loving state, its primary principles now serve the ends of the Chaos Lords, in mind, body, and spirit.

Reborn upon an abominable alliance of ruthlessly enduring vendetta, military might, and the terrible machinations of Imperator Glaaki and his Chaos Court, Ashtan has embraced its title of the Seat of Chaos. Their profane aims are wrought with havoc and destruction, utter ruin brought to bear against the orderly social and theological structures that would dare oppose the Bastion and her hermetic benefactors.

House-wise, Ashtan plays host to a bevy of adventurers, including the Esoteric Consortium, the Savants of the Wheel, and the Nemesian Vanguard. The city-state is actively guarded by the likes of War Witches, sentries of the Vanguard, Shadow Amazons, thralls of the wheel, demented skyscourges, and Ashtan corsairs.

Laws and Policies

In 691 AF, the vaunted Pillars of Ashtan - so named due to the fact that they could be read upon seven pillars on the Parade of Zarathustra - were melded into a single, seven-sided pillar, upon which the Standards of Ambition were scribed in the wake of Glaaki's takeover. While discord and chaos are valued above all, a minimal system of laws is required, if only to protect the well-being of the citizens.

Government and Political History

City Ranks

Plebian

Equite

Centurion

Patrician (Masculine)/Matrician (Feminine)

Consul

Praetor

City Patrons

222 AF - Lady Eris is chosen as Patron.

232 AF - Lord Lupus is chosen as Patron due to vacancy.

259 AF - Lord Sartan is noted as Patron.

272 AF - Lord Vastar is asked to replace Lord Sartan as Patron.

273 AF - Lord Caspian replaced Lord Vastar as Patron.

291 AF - Lady Eris ousts Lord Sartan as Patron.

292 AF - Lady Eris is chosen as Patron.

351 AF - Lady Pandora is chosen as Patron.

360 AF - Lady Makali is chosen as Patron.

390 AF - Lady Keresis is noted as Patron.

398 AF - Lord Aegis is noted as Patron.

430 AF - Lady Keresis replaced Lord Aegis as Patron.

446 AF - Lady Selene replaced Lady Keresis as Patron.

453 AF - Lord Thoth is noted as Patron.

479 AF - Lady Selene is noted as Patron.

496 AF - Lord Babel is noted as Patron.

568 AF - Lord Babel replaced Lord Matsuhama as Patron.

650 AF - Vastar replaced Lord Babel as Patron.

720 AF - Lord Aegis replaced Lord Vastar as Patron.

City Leaders - Prince

222 AF - The position of Prince is created, chosen by the Archonate.

222 AF - Nimos is the first Prince.

224 AF - Prince Nimos signs a news post as The Overseer.

City Leaders - Overseers

224 AF - Nimos is the first Overseer.

229 AF - Nimos retires.

232 AF - Napoloen replaced Nimos as Overseer.

260 AF - Napoloen retires.

260 AF - Mistral replaced Napoloen as Overseer.

277 AF - Malaclypse replaced Mistral as Overseer.

278 AF - Deven replaced Malaclypse as Overseer.

302 AF - Deven steps down as Overseer.

302 AF - Shakti replaced Deven as Overseer.

326 AF - Skarash replaced Shakti as Overseer.

356 AF - Xadzia replaced Skarash as Overseer.

357 AF - Estach replaced Xadzia as Overseer.

358 AF - Xadzia replaced Estach as Overseer.

360 AF - Estach replaced Xadzia as Overseer.

361 AF - Erhon replaced Estach as Overseer.

444 AF - Mendax replaced Erhon as Overseer.

461 AF - Erhon replaced Mendax as Overseer.

474 AF - Zambuk replaced Erhon as Overseer.

512 AF - Imyrr replaced Zambuk as Overseer.

538 AF - Darknight replaced Imyrr as Overseer.

585 AF - Tanris replaced Darknight as Overseer.

611 AF - Dunn replaced Tanris as Overseer.

691 AF - Jy'Barrak Dameron replaced Dunn as Overseer.

City Leaders - Archon Ascendants

691 AF - Dunn Lichlord is first Archon Ascendant

702 AF - Grandue replaced Dunn as Archon Ascendant

719 AF - Ryldagh replaced Grandue as Archon Ascendant

773 AF - Klendathu replaced Ryldagh as Archon Ascendant

782 AF - Truax replaced Klendathu as Archon Ascendant

Landmarks

On the eastern side of the city, across the Accra River, lies the historic Cyclade, the hill upon which the ruins of the monastery of the Ashuran monks lies. The hill originally held the "Minorus Basilica," built by the Church during Shallam's occupation of Ashtan. Easy access to this Basilica was what the Church had in mind when they built the Sanctuary Bridge across the river. In 172 AF, the Kharon monks took the fortress as their own, and when they moved to Hashan, they took the fortress with them. The Ashuran Monastery took its place before being destroyed in turn during the resistance against Golgotha.

The Arboretum of Enlightenment, de Vermiis Art Gallery, and Loving Hearts Orphanage were all built by the legendary OccultistServelan de Vermiis. The Arboretum contains many strange and exotic plant species. The de Vermiis Art Gallery, while receiving critical praise, has been said by some to depict the Church in an unfair light. The Loving Hearts Orphanage is where children are led to be slaughtered so that their pineal glands can be harvested.

The Iron Citadel was the former fortress and guildhall of the now-defunct Infernals guild. It was burned down by the angry citizens of Ashtan after the guild rebelled against the city. The guild tutor's magically-preserved head may still be seen piked before its ruins, a warning to all other potential turncoats.

The Accron Overlook, through which the Accra River flows, is the upper-class residential district. It is here that the houses of the merchant princes reside, as well as those of wealthy adventurers in nearby Golden Apple Estates. The Dowager Montagenet lived here in her classic, Doric-style mansion. Lady Korkill was known to reside here, resting on the laurels of her father's coal-mining company's meteoric rise from the ashes. Also of note is the estate of John Bailin, who made a fortune selling inks and dyes across the land.

Polygnotus Way is the middle-class residential sector.

The Descent marks the beginning to lower-class sections of the city, which start with decaying old mansions and transition to cramped but tidy dwellings.

Martin's Sorrow, with its disease-ridden streets and dilapidated buildings, caps it all off as the dead-bottom rung of the social ladder. The sculptor Cornelius von Storung once lived here. He is better known as the Unknown Artist and now resides in the upper level of the de Vermiis Art Gallery.

Inhabitants

Aside from the various guards and orphans found along the streets in Ashtan, there are a few notable citizens worth mentioning:

All of these facilities are available for use to citizens and visitors alike.

Shopping

Just a stride away from the city gates, Central Market and the surrounding shops are most popular among and readily accessible to tourists and citizens alike. One of Rurin's many outlets, it offers a wide array of utilities that would appeal to any adventurer, from inks and commodities to basic food and clothing. Just outside the Merchant's Quarter, on the east end of Market Street, is the shop S'dorrah, world-renowned for its trade in precious gems and other exotic goods. Famous also for its extravagant clothing culled from the finest haute couture, this outlet is equally infamous for its exorbitantly matching prices. In the northwestern corner of town can be found Dockhand Square, a popular crossroads of sorts. Aside from being the most frequent haunt of the Ratman, this seaside district is dotted with many odd adventurer-owned shops catering to all manners of taste. Venturing east and south from here, one might find a cluster of adventurer-owned shops along a particular curve of Croce Lane, as well as the smithy of Listar, the Royal Blacksmith. On the far east side of the city, steeped in the upper-class elegance that is the Accron Overlook, is Amadia's Jewellery Shoppe of Ashtan.

Dining and Recreation

Should you find your palate a bit dry, stop by the nearby Seadog Tavern on the northwest corner of Dockhand Square, where a good flagon of mead is always on tap. For those in the mood for a more unique taste, Fire and Spice, located just one room west of the tavern, might be more to their liking. It is here that Dagon, the barkeep, mixes all manners of drinks unique to the city, from Golden Apples to Electric Demiurges, and beyond. Warm meals are also available at the Fire and Spice, prepared by local culinary master Chef Cornelios. Across Anza Street from the Loving Hearts Orphanage is Cinnabeth's Creperie, where one may indulge in crepes, tarts, and pastries of all varieties. In the northeast section of the city, steeped in the shadowy Descent, is the Ugly Humgii Bar and Grill, where the more laid-back eater can settle down and buy burgers, ribs, and other such grillside staples; patrons may even partake in the relatively unique chance to create a custom burger with toppings of their choosing.

In the northeasterly section of the city, just off of Deer Grove Road, lies the Pheidas Gambling Parlour, where one might tempt fate with Dielia, the cardshark, or Croesus, the roulette attendant. In Dockhand Square at Fire and Spice, one can enjoy the unique artform of exotic firedancer Naodia. Or, if books are more your style, the Great Library of Nicator might be for you. Just off of Lycaeneum Avenue lies a solarium where acupuncture from Aiden and massage from Jael may be purchased through Julio. If the outdoors strike your fancy, perhaps a bit of sightseeing on the Accra River or the lava crater of the former Lake Balaton is in order.

Famous Faces

More than a few famous faces have hailed from Ashtan:

King Garrin, the Golden, the ruler of Ashtan who first instigated battle with rival Shallam over easily accessible ores in the Siroccian Mountains after generations of isolation from one another.

The wise King Martin ruled circa 200 years before the rise of Seleucar. The district known as Martin's Sorrow was named after him; according to local tales, when he looked over it, he wept at the suffering he saw before him.

The resistance fighter Zarathustra led the citizens of both Ashtan and Thera (around the same time) to revolt against their Shallamese captors. The Parade of Zarathustra is named after him, and a statue in his likeness may be found at the centre of the Pillars of Ashtan.

Epicurus, the renowned philosopher, has lived in Ashtan since he was a young man.

The Ratman, local rat collector of Ashtan, grew up in Martin's Sorrow.

The legendary OccultistServelan de Vermiis was from Ashtan, and it is also here in 190 AF that she conducted a vast and complicated experiment involving the Loving Hearts Orphanage, de Vermiis Art Gallery, and Arboretum of Enlightenment, summoning the Unnamable Horror from across time and space and merging with it to become Eris, Goddess of Chaos.